Lake Michigan dream home

Empty-nesters Patti and Craig Mutch had a not-so-secret motive for building their summer dream home on Lake Michigan's coastline: to lure their three adult children from Chicago home to Michigan for vacations. "You wonder, if you build it, will they come?" Patti says. "This past summer, they came and brought all of their friends!"

The three-bedroom home maximizes guest potential by creatively carving out space for 14 overnighters in trundle beds, sleeper sofas, daybeds and even a reading nook in the master bedroom that doubles as a cozy sleeping spot. The home also uses durable materials and water-inspired colors for easy care and guest appeal.

Click ahead to explore this home's lake look. A buying guide is on slide 16.

Happy cottage vibe

Patti Mutch wanted the home to have a happy, young cottage vibe. Colorful nature-inspired accents and sky blue ceilings throughout give a sense of the outdoors continuing into the space.

"The exterior color is so happy, and it sets the tone for where we went with the palette inside," says interior designer Kathryn Chaplow, who filled the two-and-a-half-story, window-wrapped home with sky blue ceilings, leaf green dining room chairs, sand-color sofas and striped rugs that inspired the home's playful accent colors. "We didn't want to match the house to the lake, but we wanted to create a natural palette that fits the setting."

Clean look and easy care

Throughout the home, materials were chosen for easy care. Durable wood floors can handle abuse from sandy feet. The new rustic wood dining table looks better the more nicks it wears. Furniture slipcovers can be popped into the wash as needed. Even the water-inspired pale turquoise exterior siding and white trim are made of fiber-cement board that rarely needs painting.

Setting the stage

An interior wall cutout, outfitted with white shutters, not only adds extra light in the entry but also gives guests a glimpse through the kitchen to the waters of Lake Michigan. A green lamp and watercolor painting bring the home's signature colors into this space.

Buying guide

Most items in the home were found online or at local locations of mass retailers. Both Patti and Kathryn love to search for wallet-friendly treasures at discount chains, outlets and the sale sections of favorite shops. "You can find great style at an affordable price point without sacrificing quality," Kathryn says.